These are Fish species that we have managed to photograph while snorkeling around the KwaZulu-Natal's East Coast (Ballito, Salt Rock & Sheffield areas) All photographs have been taken in the intertidal zone in tidal pools less than 2m deep

If you have any species, information or identification corrections that you would like to add, please drop us a linePlease note that the purpose of this gallery is not a scientific exhibit and not grouped according to any strict regiment. This is intended to be a really simple guide to assist people in identifying the common fish that you may encounter. We have recorded over 160 species of fish to date, several of them are not previously known from this area. It is amazing what you can find in a rock pool!

Marine Life Beginners ID Guide

You can download a beginners guide to the fish, sea slugs, crabs, corals etc.... that we have personally put together the North Coast. This is by no means a scientific document, you may notice some odd names, many of these animals (especially sea slugs) don't have common names, so we have just made them up ourselves.

Final note, if you're using this information as a tool or resource in ANY way for marine aquarium collecting, thenplease read our article about how we feel about animals in captivity...and we really hope it encourages you find a more environmentally sound and less cruel hobby. Tidal Tao stands up against all forms of wild animals in captivity..... from fish to dolphins to elephants. Wild animals belong in the wild. Not your lounge.

Free ID Guide

about us

At Tidal Tao, we are dilly, silly and plain old passionate about the ocean and our neighborhood of Salt Rock, near Ballito, on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. This is possibly some of the best snorkelling expediences South Africa has to offer, year round warm water, incredible fish and marine life, all in shallow, safe, protected areas.....and we want you to experience it too. "In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught."